Classic Wool - Felted Shopping Bag (knit)

Warm, punchy shades and stripe and diamond pattern echo the beauty of the Southwestern desert. Approx. 16 in (40.5 cm) wide x 12 in (30.5 cm) tall, excluding handles. Shown in Patons Classic Wool knit using size 5 mm needles.

MEASUREMENTS: Approx 16 ins [40.5 cm] wide by 12 ins [30.5 cm] tall, excluding handles.

MATERIALS
Patons Classic Wool (100 g)
2 balls of 77707 (That�s Red) as Main Color (MC), 1 ball each of 77734 (Too Teal) as A, 00238 (Paprika) as B, 00204 (Old Gold) as C, and 00203 (Maize) as D.

Size 5 mm (U.S. 8) circular knitting needle 32 ins [80 cm] long. Pair of size 5 mm (U.S. 8) double-pointed knitting needles or size needed to obtain tension.

TENSION
19 sts and 25 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] in stocking st.

INSTRUCTIONS
Note: When working from chart, carry yarn not in use loosely across WS of work but never over more than 2 sts. When it must pass over more than 2 sts, weave it over and under color in use on next st or at center point of sts it passes over. The colors are never twisted around one another.
Felting Tip: When changing colors in Stripe Pat, leave ends approx 2 ins [5 cm] long of each color on WS of work. Knot ends to secure. After felting, snip off knots.

BAG
With circular needle and MC, cast on 192 sts. Join in rnd, placing marker on first st.
Knit 16 rnds.

Proceed in Stripe Pat as follows:
With D, knit 4 rnds.
With C, knit 4 rnds.
With B, knit 4 rnds.
With A, knit 4 rnds.
With D, knit 4 rnds.
With C, knit 4 rnds.
With B, knit 4 rnds.
With MC, knit 4 rnds.
Rep last 32 rnds for Stripe Pat once more.

Knit in Chart to end of chart, reading rnds from right to left and noting 12 st rep will be worked 16 times.

With MC, knit 15 rnds.
Next rnd: K121. Cast off 71 sts.

Shape base: Next row: (RS). K95. Sl1. K1. psso. Turn. Leave rem sts unworked.
Next row: K70. K2tog. Turn. Leave rem sts unworked.
Next row: K70. Sl1. K1. psso. Turn. Leave rem sts unworked.
Next row: K70. K2tog. Turn. Leave rem sts unworked.
Rep last 2 rows until there are 71 sts. Cast off.
Sew cast off edges tog to close bottom of Bag.

HANDLES (make 2)
With pair of double pointed needles and MC, cast on 10 sts. Knit 16 rows.
Next row: (WS). *K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 5 sts.
Next row: Knit. Do not turn. Slide sts to other end of needle.
Rep last row until work from beg measures 18 ins [45.5 cm].
Next row: (RS). Knit. Turn.
Next row: (Inc 1 st in next st) 5 times. 10 sts.
Knit 16 rows. Cast off.

FINISHING: Felt pieces following How to Felt instructions. Shape pieces to required measurements and let dry, keeping tabs at ends of Handles flat.

Felting Tip: To shape Bag while it dries, place a cardboard box wrapped in a plastic bag inside Bag. The box should be large enough for a snug fit.

Fold Bag flat and mark positions 5 ins [12.5 cm] in from each side along top edge of Bag. Center tab ends of Handles on markers and sew in position, having top edge of tabs approx 1� ins [4 cm] below top edge of Bag as shown in picture.